Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos
bought the Washington Post in 2014, and the petition states
that unionised staff under the Washington Post Guild are
"extremely grateful" that Bezos stepped in when he did. Employees
are now campaigning for better pay, benefits, and job security.

"All we are asking for is fairness for each and every employee
who contributed to this company's success," the petition states.
"Fair wages; fair benefits for retirement, family leave and
health care; and a fair amount of job security."

They released a video alongside the petition, which you can watch
below:

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In the video, the employees state that more than a year ago the
Guild's bargaining committee entered into negotiations with the
Post.

Although they managed to secure some benefits - including the
right to ask for pay review based on the possibility of gender or
minority-based pay disparity - they said they were met with a
"profound unwillingness by the Post's top management to meet us
half-way on a lot of the issues that are important to us."

Specifically mentioned in the petition were pay increases of $10
a week, which workers said is less than half the current rate of
inflation. They said it is "unfair and even shocking from someone
who believes democracy dies in darkness."

Also mentioned is a refusal to improve retirement benefits,
cutting severance pay, and Post demands that laid-off employees
waive their legal rights to receive severance payments.

Business Insider has contacted the Washington Post Guild and the
Washington Post for comment.